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Parade celebrates our freedoms

July 8, 2013

Following the parade in Canonsburg last Thursday, I heard several people complaining that the parade was boring. I asked them all why they believed it was boring. The common response was there were too many police cars and fire trucks. I asked what was missing, and every one, to a person, said there weren’t enough floats. Well, my response is this: Do you want to see more floats with the names of banks, insurance companies, car dealerships and any other business advertising in front of a captive audience?

It’s not a celebration of companies selling goods and services. I’m a small-business owner, and I’m always looking for ways to get my message out to people who may buy my products. But this is not event for doing that. It’s about our military and first responders. It gives us an opportunity to thank those individuals who fought for this country, those who keep it free and keep it safe. It’s a time to show our appreciation for all those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms and safety.

The parade is not about the fourth day in the month of July. It’s not about fireworks, hot dogs and hamburgers. It’s about celebrating Independence Day. The birth of our country when our founders put it all on the line to fight for our freedoms, freedoms that continue to be taken away from us, piece by piece. But people don’t seem to care about that. These people think the parade was boring because they didn’t see enough floats.